Samsung Patents New Galaxy Ring with Display: Potential Successor to Galaxy Ring 1

Historical Context: Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has been a pioneer in the electronics industry since its inception in 1938. Over the decades, Samsung has introduced numerous innovative products, including smartphones, smartwatches, and other wearable technology. The company’s continuous investment in research and development has positioned it as a leader in the tech industry, often setting trends and standards for others to follow. The introduction of the Galaxy Ring series marks another milestone in Samsung’s journey towards integrating advanced technology into everyday accessories.

Article: Samsung has recently received US patent approval for a new version of its Galaxy Ring, potentially named the Galaxy Ring 2. This new iteration, as revealed in the patent application filed in May 2024, showcases significant design and functional upgrades over its predecessor.

The first Samsung Galaxy Ring is scheduled to be unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10th in Paris. While anticipation builds for this launch, the patent details hint at what could be the next generation of this smart ring.

Design and Features: The new Galaxy Ring design features a squarish outer layer and a circular inner layer, housing all the necessary sensors. Unlike the first version, which had a full-circular design, the new model appears slightly elongated and may include two display units. These displays are expected to work in tandem, allowing users to interact with one screen and view information on the other. This could be particularly useful for monitoring workout stats, heart rate, notifications, and call alerts.

Technological Advancements: The patent images suggest that the Galaxy Ring will support various health and connectivity features, including:

• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
• SPO2 (oxygen saturation)
• PPG (photoplethysmography)
• ECG (electrocardiogram) measurement
• Temperature sensor
• Acceleration sensor
• Fingerprint sensor
• Switch for control

Connectivity options might include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee technologies, NFC, and MST (magnetic secure transmission) for payments. The ring is expected to come in multiple sizes to accommodate different finger sizes, with 27 sizes available in South Korea and 65 in the US.

Potential and Speculation: While the patent approval is a significant step, it remains uncertain if the Galaxy Ring with a display will become a commercial product. The inclusion of a display unit in such a compact form factor presents considerable challenges. Samsung has previously showcased innovative designs like the OLED headset and Smart Speaker with an OLED screen, which have not yet reached the market.

Upcoming Features: The Samsung Health app’s APK teardown has revealed potential features for the Galaxy Ring, including:

• Stress monitoring (Electrodermal Activity, skin temperature, heart rate variability, activity levels)
• Heart rate tracking (pulse monitoring in the finger area)
• Snore Detection (requires the phone to be nearby)
• Period Monitoring (skin temperature analysis)

Summary:

• Samsung has patented a new version of the Galaxy Ring, potentially named Galaxy Ring 2.
• The new design features a squarish outer layer and a circular inner layer with multiple sensors.
• The ring may include two display units for enhanced interaction and information display.
• Health monitoring features include GSR, SPO2, PPG, ECG, temperature, and acceleration sensors.
• Connectivity options might include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, NFC, and MST.
• The ring will be available in multiple sizes to fit different finger sizes.
• The Galaxy Ring 1 is set to launch on July 10th at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris.
• The Samsung Health app hints at features like stress monitoring, heart rate tracking, snore detection, and period monitoring.

This comprehensive overview provides students with a clear understanding of the potential advancements in Samsung’s wearable technology, which could be relevant for competitive exams focusing on current affairs and technological innovations.